primroseburrows: (chapter one)
primroseburrows ([personal profile] primroseburrows) wrote2005-02-21 01:53 pm

once I get you up there where the air is rarified, we'll just slide, starry-eyed

Geh. It's snowing. I have to leave for work early, bleh.


But first, a question: Has anyone read any Neal Stephenson, and if so, did you like it and why? He's listed as a fantasy/steampunk sort of writer, but when I look at the books in stores, it doesn't seem that way to me. I know I'm missing something, and he's got a great reputation. Also, people who read what I read seem to like him. I'd like to give his work a try, but as I usually buy my books I want to make sure I'm actually going to read it.


Also. I'm becoming minorly obsessed with Frank Sinatra. Not that this is a bad thing. The man invented syncopation, I'm convinced.

[identity profile] erebor.livejournal.com 2005-02-21 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I've had Cryptonomicon on my shelf for about 8 months now, but have yet to read it. I picked it up based on descriptions of it from [livejournal.com profile] lallumeur and reviews I'd read. Sounds awesome. But it's a little intimidating. My mistake was not getting into it while I was still commuting by train each day. No time to read for a while now, so it will have to wait.

I'm told this one, at least, is hard to get into, but if you keep plugging away it rewards you.

[identity profile] phoenixw.livejournal.com 2005-02-21 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
A friend of mine [livejournal.com profile] ssatva recommended Neal Stephenson very highly. Said he's a bit like William Gibson, yeah, and very good. I haven't read him yet, but I'm planning to.

[identity profile] bizarra.livejournal.com 2005-02-21 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Love Sinatra. :-) I am minorly obsesed with Dean Martin for reasons which I have yet to figure out.. but.. just love his style and his voice. Sinatra is the same. Plus listening to the humor between Frank, Dean and Sammy Davis Jr is a riot. They amuse me muchly. LOL
ext_3190: Red icon with logo "I drink Nozz-a-la- Cola" in cursive. (rhett)

[identity profile] primroseburrows.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
The Rat Pack is just plain cool. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[identity profile] peacey.livejournal.com 2005-02-21 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Chickie baby, you know how I feel about The Chairman. He is *the* koo-kookiest. I have a CD of one of the shows at the Sands with Sinatra, Dean, Sammy, Joey Bishop, & occasionally Peter Lawford. It's crazy, baby, cr-aa-zy.

[identity profile] sylvertongue.livejournal.com 2005-02-21 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I've only read Snow Crash, but I loved it. That one's cyberpunk, and absolutely brilliant. Clever concept, good understanding of genre, truly interesting characters and situations. It didn't hurt that the book had elements of all sorts of things I find fascinating - VR, linguistics, ancient mythology, examination of cultural memes, and more I won't add because it'd be spoiler territory.

Also, you must give points to an author who calls his main character Hiro Protagonist. Give him a try!
ext_3190: Red icon with logo "I drink Nozz-a-la- Cola" in cursive. (angel)

[identity profile] primroseburrows.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
Also, you must give points to an author who calls his main character Hiro Protagonist

Most definitely. *G*

[identity profile] nmalfoy.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
I read very little scifi...but Ender's Game and Snow Crash are on my list of great books. I think you'll like Snow Crash. It's the only Stephenson I've read, but it's got quite a few noirish elements and the world he creates is just so fantastical, but yet recognizable. Joe Bob says check it out.

And, while I love The Chairman, gonna have to give the syncopation nod to Scott Joplin.
ext_3190: Red icon with logo "I drink Nozz-a-la- Cola" in cursive. (black)

[identity profile] primroseburrows.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
it's got quite a few noirish elements and the world he creates is just so fantastical, but yet recognizable

On that note, I shall try it. Yay!

And, while I love The Chairman, gonna have to give the syncopation nod to Scott Joplin.

Let's give one the voice award and the other the woahbaby!ragtime award.

[identity profile] nmalfoy.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
A perfect solution! Because, dude, Sinatra... guh. Just guh.
ext_3190: Red icon with logo "I drink Nozz-a-la- Cola" in cursive. (bed)

[identity profile] primroseburrows.livejournal.com 2005-02-22 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, to live in the fantasy world where one sings and the other plays. *bops*